Graduated ND filters on RF

[crispy12]

Heya guys,

Has anyone used grad ND filters for landscape on rangefinders before? I shoot street most of the time and rarely landscape but recently have been getting the itch to try some, esp since I have a few wide M mount lenses. Would be really good for traveling. I'm looking at the Lee RF75 system but it's pricey and worse still, apparently very hard to get hold of. Does anyone here have personal experience with this particular system?

I tried the Cokin P sized filters... lol, blocks too much VF for my linking, about 50-60%.


Square filters on a rangefinder by chrisongtj, on Flickr

Thanks in advance

 

[raytoei]

ehhh...i think i will use a normal filter, say Orange or even a polarizer, trying a polarizer on a rf is hard enuff

 

[NazgulKing]

The RF75 system from Lee Filters cost a whopping bomb.

 

[edutilos-]

I don't use RFs, but I understand that the RF VF won't be through-the-lens. In which case, unless you have Live View, it may be quite hard to use the GND since you can't see the effect. GNDs will have a transition line which is best placed at the horizon most of the time, so shooting blind may mess that use up quite a bit.. Unless you just keep using soft GNDs and do agaration?

 

[NazgulKing]

I don't use RFs, but I understand that the RF VF won't be through-the-lens. In which case, unless you have Live View, it may be quite hard to use the GND since you can't see the effect. GNDs will have a transition line which is best placed at the horizon most of the time, so shooting blind may mess that use up quite a bit.. Unless you just keep using soft GNDs and do agaration?

Well, with the M9, you could at least shoot and preview your shot. The best system is the Lee Filter RF75 and one adjusts the position of the square filter. However, it costs a whopping bomb, never mind limited availability.

 

[virtualme78]

i used those el cheapo square GND filters on my M2 once for landscape. The filters blocked the VF too much so I have to first compose then put on the filters. As for the transition line, I guesstimated by looking through the VF then shift the filter. End results unsatisfactory. Too much work, guesstimation and no instant gratification to review the results if shoot with film. IMO, not worth trying unless you are using the new Leica M or other digital cameras with Live View.

Maybe I didn't have enough experience to handle the situation well but I wouldn't try it again on film.

 

[simonseng]

Heya guys,

Has anyone used grad ND filters for landscape on rangefinders before? I shoot street most of the time and rarely landscape but recently have been getting the itch to try some, esp since I have a few wide M mount lenses. Would be really good for traveling. I'm looking at the Lee RF75 system but it's pricey and worse still, apparently very hard to get hold of. Does anyone here have personal experience with this particular system?

I tried the Cokin P sized filters... lol, blocks too much VF for my linking, about 50-60%.


Square filters on a rangefinder by chrisongtj, on Flickr

Thanks in advance

Hi Crispy,

I have done that with the Lee 100mm foundation kit(dslr kit SWA adaptor ring and step ring) with various filters as below:

Bessa & M6 : Soft GND, ND

M9 : Soft GND, IR and big stopper.

Only pain is VF blockage so per focus and framing is necessary before clipping on the filter holder

Rgds

 

[NazgulKing]

Hi Crispy,

I have done that with the Lee 100mm foundation kit(dslr kit SWA adaptor ring and step ring) with various filters as below:

Bessa & M6 : Soft GND, ND

M9 : Soft GND, IR and big stopper.

Only pain is VF blockage so per focus and framing is necessary before clipping on the filter holder

Rgds

What adapter rings did you use?

 

[crispy12]

Hi Crispy,

I have done that with the Lee 100mm foundation kit(dslr kit SWA adaptor ring and step ring) with various filters as below:

Bessa & M6 : Soft GND, ND

M9 : Soft GND, IR and big stopper.

Only pain is VF blockage so per focus and framing is necessary before clipping on the filter holder

Rgds

That's great, how did you align the GND? Trial and error? I made a center mark on my holder to try and replicate the RF75 set. Haven't tried it out yet. Yes the VF blockage is very irritating, can't handhold and shoot with such a large filter holder. I'm thinking of getting an external zoom viewfinder to see if it helps, one of those models like 35mm-135mm. I tried a fixed 28mm viewfinder, it was good with very little finder blockage.

NazgulKing, I used a 52mm adapter ring for the filter holder as my largest lens is 52mm. I have a single step up ring for each of my other lenses to 52mm. I assume simonseng probably uses a similar setup as well. I also use an IR filter which is heaps of fun. Seems like a lot of trouble but so helpful for scenes where dynamic range is a bit too much.

 

[crispy12]

Maybe I didn't have enough experience to handle the situation well but I wouldn't try it again on film.

Yah I'm a bit hesitant to try it on film, I'm practicing with my M8 first to see how effective it is before wasting film.

Unless you just keep using soft GNDs and do agaration?

I only have a soft GND set, as this is my first time buying square filters so bought the wrong one. The colour cast is quite strong, I think cuz I used a lousy filter and also aligned wrongly. Doing more research before I spend any more $$$ haha. This was the first image I made using a ND and 3stop GND. Didn't buy a powerful enough ND, think I need a 10 stop.


jetty by chrisongtj, on Flickr

 

[virtualme78]

I read somewhere that the magenta cast comes from cheap filters and are greatly reduced on the better, more expensive ones.

 

[NazgulKing]

That's great, how did you align the GND? Trial and error? I made a center mark on my holder to try and replicate the RF75 set. Haven't tried it out yet. Yes the VF blockage is very irritating, can't handhold and shoot with such a large filter holder. I'm thinking of getting an external zoom viewfinder to see if it helps, one of those models like 35mm-135mm. I tried a fixed 28mm viewfinder, it was good with very little finder blockage.

NazgulKing, I used a 52mm adapter ring for the filter holder as my largest lens is 52mm. I have a single step up ring for each of my other lenses to 52mm. I assume simonseng probably uses a similar setup as well. I also use an IR filter which is heaps of fun. Seems like a lot of trouble but so helpful for scenes where dynamic range is a bit too much.

I am now tempted to get the Lee SF100..

Then again, it's mighty hard to get the RF75. So hmm..

 

[crispy12]

I read somewhere that the magenta cast comes from cheap filters and are greatly reduced on the better, more expensive ones.

Thanks, I think so too!

I am now tempted to get the Lee SF100..
Then again, it's mighty hard to get the RF75. So hmm..

Haha yes... poisoned by filters~

 

[kayaro888]

Suddenly, I can't stop thinking of the new Leica M ( with Live view) ..........

 

[crispy12]

I am now tempted to get the Lee SF100..

Then again, it's mighty hard to get the RF75. So hmm..

I found a cheaper alternative. Cokin A sized filters which are 67mm wide. The holder is smaller than the Lee RF75 system but filters are not as high quality. Has anyone tried this size? It's quite uncommon as most people use the P sized (85mm) on DSLRs

EDIT: Ok after doing a lot of reading, many people say they don't even use holders as they're bulk and cumbersome. Just hold the filter in front of the camera and "dodge" the photo. I'll try this out, sounds even more compact and easier/cheaper. Some even talk about using a black card instead of ND filter!

 

[adamadam]

I found a cheaper alternative. Cokin A sized filters which are 67mm wide. The holder is smaller than the Lee RF75 system but filters are not as high quality. Has anyone tried this size? It's quite uncommon as most people use the P sized (85mm) on DSLRs

EDIT: Ok after doing a lot of reading, many people say they don't even use holders as they're bulk and cumbersome. Just hold the filter in front of the camera and "dodge" the photo. I'll try this out, sounds even more compact and easier/cheaper. Some even talk about using a black card instead of ND filter!

Hello OCAUMAN! haw haw haw....!

 

[simonseng]

What adapter rings did you use?

Hi bro, since im using the filter system from my DSLR, it will be a 77mm SWA Lee adaptor ring attached to two cheap step ring for E46. The numbers of step rings really depends on which RF lens you will be shooting. The only lens I can't use with this filter system is the VC 15mm 4.5 due to the lens hood.

 

[simonseng]

That's great, how did you align the GND? Trial and error? I made a center mark on my holder to try and replicate the RF75 set. Haven't tried it out yet. Yes the VF blockage is very irritating, can't handhold and shoot with such a large filter holder. I'm thinking of getting an external zoom viewfinder to see if it helps, one of those models like 35mm-135mm. I tried a fixed 28mm viewfinder, it was good with very little finder blockage.

NazgulKing, I used a 52mm adapter ring for the filter holder as my largest lens is 52mm. I have a single step up ring for each of my other lenses to 52mm. I assume simonseng probably uses a similar setup as well. I also use an IR filter which is heaps of fun. Seems like a lot of trouble but so helpful for scenes where dynamic range is a bit too much.

Hi bro, since the RF75 is expensive so I just make use of what I have from my DSLR system. I start with the digi M and practice the align also made some making on the holder. After I'm more experience then I started shooting film on such filter. Frankly the soft GND is very forgiving in terms of alignment. So far I'm happy with it. The Lee ND filters tends to be cooler in colour and the big stopper is kind of blue with the digital M. I usually shoot raw and correct them in post.

 

[simonseng]

NazgulKing, I used a 52mm adapter ring for the filter holder as my largest lens is 52mm. I have a single step up ring for each of my other lenses to 52mm. I assume simonseng probably uses a similar setup as well. I also use an IR filter which is heaps of fun. Seems like a lot of trouble but so helpful for scenes where dynamic range is a bit too much.[/QUOTE]

Yes bro, I use 52mm for all screw on filters like; yellow and IR. the rest will be plate type 100mm. I'm kind of noob with this site and dun really know how I can post some sample to share. I can share with you when I join the RF outing.

 

[giantcanopy]

I guestimate from the transitioning line of the GND. Will not be as precise as dSLR filter positioning.

Here is one that I took with my GSW690III and a +2 Lee GND filter, Velvia 50.

Ryan